Crossword Genius

Bad-tempered woman mostly showing perspicacity (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

shrew

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'bad-tempered woman mostly showing perspicacity' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'woman mostly showing perspicacity' is the wordplay.
'woman' becomes 'she'.
'mostly' means to remove the last letter (most but not all of the word).
'showing perspicacity' becomes 'rew' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'she' with its final letter removed is 'sh'.
'sh'+'rew'='SHREW'

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(Other definitions for shrew that I've seen before include "Long-nosed mammal" , "Mouselike insectivore" , "Mouse-like creature" , "Mouse-like animal or scolding woman" , "Tamable woman?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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